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"When it comes to the underworld, it's easier to get in than out."
In 1986, Tsui Hark and John Woo had the crazy idea of making a gangster film when comedy was all the rage. The film would star Ti Lung and Leslie Cheung and box office “poison”-Chow Yun Fat. A Better Tomorrow was expected to bomb but instead ruled the box office, influenced fashion, started a new film trend, and propelled Chow into action hero mode. After forty years, it showed its age for sure, but it was still a compelling story of brotherhood, sacrifice, and loyalty surrounded by a whole lot of bullets.
Sung Tse Ho is a triad member but also devoted to his younger brother Kit who is in the police academy. At his dying father’s behest he decides to give up the life of crime after his final mission in Taiwan. After being set up, he and underling Shing escape but are tracked down by the police. He surrenders so that Shing can escape. Ho’s blood brother Mark, makes sure the Taiwanese gangsters who betrayed Ho pay dearly. Unfortunately, so does Mark. After Ho’s release from prison, Kit refuses to reconcile, despite Ho desperately trying to go straight.
This was definitely a buddy bonding movie. There were male tears, hugs, heartfelt declarations, and sacrifice for each other amongst the blood, bullets, and beatings. I loved the cast. Ti Lung is one of my favorites from kung fu’s golden era. He gave a moving performance as a devoted brother and friend who just wanted to take a new path but kept getting dragged back in to the life he'd left behind. Leslie Cheung had the thankless job of being the naïve, obstinate, childlike brother hell bent on bringing Shing down. Chow Yun Fat who was hired because he didn’t look like a gangster, gave an iconic performance in his shades with a matchstick in his mouth. Mark went from overconfident “veteran” gangster to lackey to vengeful destroyer. Waise Lee was adequate as the slimy turncoat determined to bring everyone under his heel. I didn’t find him particularly menacing.
The shootouts were early gangster choreography. A few of the extras tried to push the bullets out of their guns which was humorous. But it was an evolving craft of bullet ballet that Woo would further refine through the years. A brutal beatdown had me turning away as it was too intense and personal to watch. I’m not a huge fan of these almost constant fire fights, at least this film didn’t have a high civilian body count. It was mostly gangster on gangster action.
I can see why A Better Tomorrow is considered a classic even with its flaws. Aside from the three stars I enjoyed spotting many players from the old martial arts flicks I’ve watched including Wang Hsieh and Tien Feng. If you are a John Woo fan and have not seen this film, it is definitely one to try. Because it’s pre-1990, I did give it a ratings bump.
15 September 2026
Trigger warnings: Bloody shootouts and beatings. Smoking. An impossibly stupid and klutzy female character.
Sung Tse Ho is a triad member but also devoted to his younger brother Kit who is in the police academy. At his dying father’s behest he decides to give up the life of crime after his final mission in Taiwan. After being set up, he and underling Shing escape but are tracked down by the police. He surrenders so that Shing can escape. Ho’s blood brother Mark, makes sure the Taiwanese gangsters who betrayed Ho pay dearly. Unfortunately, so does Mark. After Ho’s release from prison, Kit refuses to reconcile, despite Ho desperately trying to go straight.
This was definitely a buddy bonding movie. There were male tears, hugs, heartfelt declarations, and sacrifice for each other amongst the blood, bullets, and beatings. I loved the cast. Ti Lung is one of my favorites from kung fu’s golden era. He gave a moving performance as a devoted brother and friend who just wanted to take a new path but kept getting dragged back in to the life he'd left behind. Leslie Cheung had the thankless job of being the naïve, obstinate, childlike brother hell bent on bringing Shing down. Chow Yun Fat who was hired because he didn’t look like a gangster, gave an iconic performance in his shades with a matchstick in his mouth. Mark went from overconfident “veteran” gangster to lackey to vengeful destroyer. Waise Lee was adequate as the slimy turncoat determined to bring everyone under his heel. I didn’t find him particularly menacing.
The shootouts were early gangster choreography. A few of the extras tried to push the bullets out of their guns which was humorous. But it was an evolving craft of bullet ballet that Woo would further refine through the years. A brutal beatdown had me turning away as it was too intense and personal to watch. I’m not a huge fan of these almost constant fire fights, at least this film didn’t have a high civilian body count. It was mostly gangster on gangster action.
I can see why A Better Tomorrow is considered a classic even with its flaws. Aside from the three stars I enjoyed spotting many players from the old martial arts flicks I’ve watched including Wang Hsieh and Tien Feng. If you are a John Woo fan and have not seen this film, it is definitely one to try. Because it’s pre-1990, I did give it a ratings bump.
15 September 2026
Trigger warnings: Bloody shootouts and beatings. Smoking. An impossibly stupid and klutzy female character.
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